Passion for the Pastime

As we approach the half way point, we review the divisions and how the current playoff format would look if the playoffs ended today. Also with tons a rookies making their debuts, its fun to look back on some of the game best debuts because one of these rookies could be the next superstar of the league.

On this episode of Passion for the Pastime, we will be looking at a key debut for the San Francisco Giants. As rookies across the league make their first starts, some may be making their last starts. For their current teams that is. The ever so mysterious trade deadline is only days away and with some much to be determined, there is no telling how this deadline will go down. Names have been rumored and teams who can be buyers and sellers, if there is any major action at all in this already strange season.

Its time to talk baseball. In this episode, we remember Roberto Clemente on what would have been his 86th birthday. Also, we will look at the player closest to replicate Clemente's unique style, in Fernando Tatis Jr. as he has now opened the door of baseball's unwritten rules.

The wild west just got wilder. With Mookie Betts heating up and writing the record books, Charlie Blackmon looks to write some history of his own. Will the public look at any accomplishments in 2020 as less than? We are talking records, Mookie's greatness and playoff bubbles. Yes that is now a thing.

To say this weekend was just another normal weekend would do a disservice to the game. This weekend had everything. Upsets, great games, long balls you name it. Even weird things like losing a no-hitter due to brightness, in a night game. Oh and a player being sent home, like he was a bad kid in school for breaking the rules. Even a heated discussion in Oakland, which at first doesnt seem like much, until you look at the grand picture, and take into account who the teams were. This weekend was just a reminder of how unpredictable sports truly can be.

We are talking everything baseball past as we reflect on 756 with Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron's HR record. We will also look at the present state of baseball with the Cardinals testing postive again, what that means for them and baseball as well as looking at other series all around the league.

2 weeks in and baseball is in full swing, sort of. Teams havent skipped a beat amid Covid, some even exceeding expectations. Is it too early to tell about what these teams will be? Oakland, Rockies, Padres, Cubs, and South side White Sox are hot teams with the expected Dodgers, Twins and Yankees, but which teams are you buying and selling. Teams that were shut down will be returning to games by the end of the week and it is a much needed restart to baseball. Andrew McCutchen felt some type of way about the way the Marlin's outbreak went down. Derek Jeter gives us answers to the Marlins outbreak but is anyone buying it? Albert Pujols continues his historic chase and much more on this episode of the podcast.

We have alot to get to in this one. From Opt Outs to Walk Offs. From Covid updates to chasing history. It is all here on the latest episode of Passion for the Pastime.

Is someone who intentionally throws at a batter a hero? In this case, it depends who you ask. Joe Kelly threw at the Astros in response to their recent sign stealing scandal, and you either hate it or you love it. Regardless of how you feel, baseballs punishment sent a clear message. None of this will happen during the pandemic, or maybe even ever because of how hung up Manfred is on protecting the Astros. This next one isn't up for debate, the Marlins player who exposed his team, is a zero. As the Marlins are sitting in a hotel in Philly, that player should receive a suspension, if the league is all about "safety" and "setting a precedent". More baseball news as the star of the 2020s arms battle made his MLB debut, vs a star from the 2010s, who has struck out his teammates dad. All that and more.

With the good news, come bad news. Baseball returned to our tv screens, but no one is immune to Covid-19, as players from the Marlins organization have tested positive for Covid. At first it was four, now it is an upward of 14 players and staff. Mlb has responded by cancelling games of the Marlins- Orioles and Phillies-Yankees, in order to protect their players. Phillies -Yankees was cancelled due to the Marlins recently being in the visiting ballpark at Citizens Bank Park, were the Phillies would play host to the Yankees. If you were uncertain about the season before, now more uncertainty looms over baseball as the dark cloud of Covid-19 has taken away the little bit a sunlight we had this weekend. Stay tuned for more updates.